Wildlife knows no boundaries. So AWF has defined areas across the continent that are critical to conservation. These Priority Landscapes can cover public and private lands alike and often cross borders.

Primary Ecosystems

Population

Gallery

Overview

One of the poorest countries in the world is now one of the biggest gold producers.

Burkina Faso is a landlocked country at the geographical heart of West Africa that is made up of grassy savannas, green hills with small trees, and lots of sandstone rock with formations that peak at more than 2,000 feet. Burkina Faso has a tropical climate, including a rainy season that lasts for four months.

Burkina Faso also has some of the most diverse wildlife in West Africa, with more than 650 mammal and 1,407 different plant species. The Volta River basin is home to almost 200 species of aquatic wildlife, as well as Nile crocodile and hippopotamus. There are four national parks and 12 Wildlife Conservation Units covering the entire country. Burkina Faso is home to the world’s largest population of roan antelope, though overall population of these African land grazers is in decline. W National Park, which spans Niger, Benin, and Burkina Faso, provides sanctuary for West African Elephants and is one of the last remaining landscapes in which you will find the rare and critically endangered Saharan cheetah.

There are a variety of natural resources found in Burkina Faso, including manganese (used in stainless steel), limestone, marble, pumice, and salt. The country is also Africa’s fourth-largest gold producer. Agriculture makes up 33% of its GDP and employs 80% of the working population. Farmers mostly raise livestock, but also grow crops such as peanuts, rice, cotton, and shea nuts. Burkina Faso’s third-biggest export, shea nuts can be crushed into shea butter, which is popular in cuisine as well as cosmetics and soap.

Challenges

When 90% of the people depend on trees for fuel, trees don’t stand a chance.

Burkina Faso’s central plateau covers approximately 25% of the country’s land surface. More than 40% of Burkinabès live in this area—even though it is one of the most disadvantaged places to live due to overpopulation and major soil erosion. With 90% of the population engaging in subsistence agriculture, droughts can have a severe negative impact on daily life for both human and livestock populations.

This adds to the country’s poverty issues. The GDP per capita is $1,200. Because people live in areas where they cannot grow crops to sustain their livelihoods, deforestation is rampant. People rely on wood for trade and fuel. Every year, Burkina Faso loses an estimated 32,000 hectares of forests, which, in turn, impacts wildlife. Already, some species have become extinct due to habitat loss.

Soil and water conservation are important challenges facing Burkina Faso. As the population continues to grow, restoring soil fertility is critical for future crops and livestock. It is also important to provide locals with alternatives to burning wood for their livelihoods through employment opportunities and improved cooking methods. Doing so could prevent deforestation and help save wildlife from extinction.

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Reason #80 to get involved

In a 1900 census, the cheetah population was around 100,000. Today, only 9,000 remain in Africa. With less prey and habitat—and pursued by hunters—the cheetah is at a high risk of extinction. With your help AWF can continue providing incentives to locals to prevent hunting.

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The African lion is in critical danger, with some predicting extinction by 2020. This isn't just a tragedy to the species; it would also cause major ecological problems. Help us continue crucial efforts like reducing human-wildlife conflicts that threaten the lion.

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The impala-like kobs inhabit low-lying hills with permanent water sources, restricting them to regions rapidly being populated by humans. Without any designated buffer zones, this vulnerable species is being hunted at an alarming rate.

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Hippos are highly valued for their fatty meat and ivory tusks, putting them in the crosshairs of hunters and poachers. The Zambia Wildlife Authority and the Lower Zambezi Natural Park rely on African Wildlife Foundation's support to secure the park and protect hippos.

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